EVANS, Ga. – The weather couldn’t have been better for the first round of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Augusta National president Fred Ridley and Diana Murphy, a former U.S. Golf Association president who became the fourth woman member of Augusta National, were on hand when Jennifer Kupcho smacked…
Daily Herald Columns
Yuen, Lau, Nowlin ready for Augusta National’s new women’s tourney
AUGUSTA, Georgia — Last year the biggest new event in golf was the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, which was conducted in July at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton. This year’s biggest new event tees off today in Augusta, Ga., with three Chicago-connected players in the international field of 72. This one is called the…
Donald’s strong showing at Valspar provides uplifting start for local season
Luke Donald is back. Could there be a better feel-good story to mark the start of another Chicago golf season? One of the greatest players to ever come out of the Chicago amateur ranks, Donald has gone through over two years of difficult times. A herniated disc in his back severely curtailed his play, but…
For 36 years the Chicago Golf Show has provided a flashy start to the local season
The weather outside might not suggest it, but the Chicago golf season officially starts on Friday. That’s when the 36th annual Chicago Golf Show tees off at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The three-day show, presented by Indiana’s French Lick Resort, offers more than 350 exhibitor booths; a 3,000-square foot driving range; guest appearances…
Chicago area’s Wilson, Tour Edge are big hits at PGA Merchandise Show
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL. – The 66th annual PGA Merchandise Show lived up to its billing as “the biggest show in golf’’ last week. Over 40,000 industry members from 83 countries spent four days hiking the 10-mile stretch of exhibits at the Orange County Convention Center. There were over 1,000 exhibitors. Such a massive turnout…
Sunset Valley’s re-opening had some special touches
Not all new golf courses have the kind of re-opening celebration that Sunset Valley had this week. Joel Hirsch, a legendary amateur in the Chicago golf ranks, and Patrick Flavin, winner of both the Illinois State Amateur and Illinois Open just a year ago, were the featured attractions. Both started playing golf at Sunset Valley…
Western Am, Illinois Open are a good one-two punch for Chicago golfers
Brace yourself. This is the last big crush of tournaments in a Chicago golf season filled with bunched-up scheduling. The 116th Western Amateur teed off on Tuesday at Sunset Ridge, in Northfield. It’ll end with the championship match on Saturday afternoon, and then the 69th Illinois Open finals begin a three-day run on Monday at…
Western Amateur presents a big step up in competition for Chicago stars
Imagine an Illinois amateur golfer shooting a 61 in a state-wide tournament and not winning. That’s what happened to Jordan Hahn at last year’s Illinois State Amateur. Hahn claimed the course record at Calumet Country Club, but he finished one stroke behind Patrick Flavin. Hahn got even last week, winning the 88th playing of the…
Patrick Flavin is Mr. Golf in Illinois for the next few weeks
The star of last year’s Chicago golf season is about to strike again. While University of Illinois friends Nick Hardy and Dylan Meyer opted to turn pro as soon as the NCAA tournament ended in June, Highwoods’ Patrick Flavin decided to wait a while. Now it’s his turn to take the spotlight. Last year Flavin,…
Conway Farms pro carries Chicago hopes in U.S. Senior Women’s Open
The only Chicago area qualifier for the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club is also the youngest in the 120-player field. Gurnee’s Jamie Fischer, who got in through the sectional qualifying round at Conway Farms, in Lake Forest, turned 50 on May 13. Fischer grew up in Ohio and qualified for three…